West News Wire: Legendary NHL defenseman Borje Salming, who paved the way for players from Europe to play in North America, has passed away. He was 71 years old and had just received an ALS diagnosis.
Salming spent the majority of his career playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made the announcement of his demise in a statement on Thursday.
Brendan Shanahan, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ president and alternate governor, expressed his team’s sorrow over Börje Salming’s passing. “Börje was a legend with an indomitable spirit and undeniable toughness. He was a pioneer of the game. He paved the way for the entry of Europeans into the NHL and established himself by his accomplishments on the ice and in the community.
Börje joined the Maple Leafs 50 years ago and will forever be a part of our hockey family. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Pia, his children Theresa, Anders, Rasmus, Bianca, Lisa and Sara and brother Stieg.”
Salming’s decorated NHL career spanned 17 seasons from 1973 to 1990 between Toronto and Detroit, with a résumé boasting 1,148 games and 787 points. A two-time runner-up for the Norris Trophy, Salming became the first Swedish-born player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 and two years later entered the IIHF Hall of Fame. The blueliner was an NHL first-team All-Star in 1977 and a five-time NHL second-team All-Star between 1975 and 1980.
For 16 of his 17 NHL campaigns, Salming was “The King” of Toronto, patrolling the Maple Leafs’ blue line with a physicality and grit that flew in the face of common stereotypes that Swedish skaters like himself were too soft to make it in the bruising NHL. Salming had made an immediate impression when Leafs scout Gerry McNamara spotted him playing overseas in 1973. McNamara was in Sweden to scout Inge Hammarstrom; he wound up signing Salming to a free agent deal instead.
The defender quickly became a fan favorite in Toronto and embraced his popularity there. In January 1998, Salming became the first European-born player to reach the 1,000-game mark. The next year, Salming inked a one-year free agent deal with the Red Wings to finish out his career. Salming’s legacy in Toronto as the franchise’s defensive leader in assists (620) and points (760) remained, though, and his No. 21 has since been retired by the organization.
After retiring, Salming remained an active part of the hockey community, which was devastated to learn of his ALS diagnosis in August. A progressive disease of the nervous system, ALS affects cells in the brain and spinal cord and leads to muscle control loss. Salming originally began experiencing symptoms in February, and his health rapidly declined from there. Last month, Salming revealed he had lost the ability to speak.
Despite his illness, Salming’s resolve remained intact. He was determined to attend Hall of Fame weekend in Toronto earlier this month when three more Swedish players would be inducted. Salming made it, and the Maple Leafs honored him with a pregame tribute ahead of their game against Vancouver. An overcome Salming came to the ice surrounded by family to take in the standing ovation. The ceremonial puck drop was done by Swedish-born Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander, and Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe crafted a starting lineup that featured all six of Toronto’s Swedish-born players.
That was the second event in as many nights where Salming was recognized. The night before, at the annual Hall of Fame game between Toronto and Pittsburgh, Salming was helped to the ice by good friend and former teammate Darryl Sittler, who broke down in tears watching Salming cheered on by the arena. Salming met with Sittler in September and said he wanted to be in Toronto for the weekend that would feature three Swedish-born inductees: Vancouver’s Henrik and Daniel Sedin and Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson.
